Opening Remarks

Why are We Here and What has Changed Since Last Year?

His Excellency Tormod C. Endresen, Norway’s Ambassador to Singapore,noted the appropriateness of locating the 2^nd Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs-RSIS Asian Security Conference in Singapore. Norway’s economic development thrived on Asian growth and many of the global problems that Norway had an interest in helping to solve, such as inequality, could be found in Asia. The design of international order would also be influenced by rising Asian powers. He highlighted that there was a need to look more closely at Asia and gain more knowledge about the region, particularly where security was concerned, as security policy had always been at the heart of foreign policy and the potential for conflict existed in the region.

Professor Joseph Liow, RSIS Associate Dean,expressed optimism that the conference participants would build on the success of the inaugural Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs-RSIS Asian Security Conference in 2013. He observed that there had been both elements of change and continuity in the region over the past year and consequently in the focus of the conference, and highlighted environmental issues as an example of the latter. He also noted that the Arctic region was an area of increasing interest for Singapore, which converged with Norway’s interests.